Thanks to the Lewis family for inviting us to their farm and for being great customers. Our business is helping their business grow.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
The potato and dairy industries are an important part of Prince Edward Island’s agriculture history and future. Cavendish Agri Services would like to introduce - The Lewis Family.

In the early 1900’s, the Lewis brothers, Ira, Claude and Edwin grew up in Freetown, a small community near Kensington, Prince Edward Island. The boys learned everything from their father, who was a master holstein breeder and potato farmer. Ira and Claude moved to York and concentrated on dairy and potato farming and were very well known for producing prize-winning Holsteins year after year.

The Lewis' welcoming sign as you drive down the lane.

Decades later, Ira’s son Scott and Claude’s son Jamie continue the family tradition. Jamie works with the dairy side of the business, along with field and mechanical work and Scott deals with the potato end of the business as well as the daily accounting procedures. Scott’s niece, Melissa joins the team once a week to help with the accounting.

When it comes to producing quality crops, the Lewis’ are one of the first that come to mind. "The family farm is made up of approximately 2500 acres and 600 acres of potato farming with a strict 3-year rotation: barley, red clover and potatoes." said Scott. The family also uses the barley for their cattle. The size of the Lewis team is 5 – 6 full-time year-round workers and 15-16 seasonal workers.

Jamie works with 200 cows, all of which are pure bred Holsteins – a family tradition. Jamie is also involved with embryo transplantation.

In the Dairy Barn:  Jamie Lewis talking to Joe McCarthy, Sales and Customer Service, Charlottetown, PEI Branch.

The Lewis Family has been a customer of Cavendish Agri’s Services since we began operations in 1995. Cavendish Agri supplies the Lewis farm with crop scouting, mapping, spreading and supplies, such as chemicals, fertilizers, and lime on an annual basis. But, the Lewis’ relationship goes back much further than 1995, with the company that we acquired – Island Fertilizer.

"Historically, we have been with the same supplier for years and the longevity of our relationship has continued through every ownership," said Scott. "The staff at Cavendish Agri Services work well together and we have excellent communication with them. They are leaders in the agricultural field."

Scott explains that he sells a majority of the potatoes through the open market specializing in small-packs and cartons. They specialize in three variations of potatoes including, Superiors, Russet Burbank and Yukon Gold.

Scott Lewis takes a minute out of his busy schedule to discuss the family operations.

Jamie is married to Robin and they have three children, Josh, Rebekah and Kelsea. Scott is married to Laura-Lee.

"Thank you again for sharing your knowledge," said Scott. "It has greatly enhanced our ability to predict soil fertility and make better decisions regarding our purchases for both the dairy and potato operations."

Potatoes headed for the open market